INTRACELLULAR PRODUCTION OF AFRICAN HORSESICKNESS VIRUS CORE-LIKE PARTICLES BY EXPRESSION OF THE 2 MAJOR CORE PROTEINS, VP3 AND VP7, IN INSECT CELLS

To gain more insight into the structure of the Af rican horsesickness virus (AHSV) core particle, we have cloned, partially characterized an d expressed the two major core proteins, VP3 and VP7, of AHSV-9. VP7 w as found to be highly conserved amongst different serotypes. The VP3 a nd VP7 genes were subsequently expressed in insect cells by means of r ecombinant bacuIoviruses. VP7 was synthesized to very high levels and aggregated into distinctive crystals. Go-expression of VP3 and VP7 res ulted in the intracellular formation of core-like particles which stru cturally resembled empty AHSV cores.